The wicked path: the chronicles of a witch

Chapter 3: My Sister That Followed Me

The journey with Glinda felt surreal, like stepping into a world made of dreams. As we left the forest behind, the landscape gradually transformed into rolling hills and bustling villages, each more vibrant than the last. I was too lost in my own thoughts to fully appreciate the beauty around me, but the presence of my guide made me feel somewhat safe.

It was late afternoon when we arrived at a quaint, welcoming village that seemed to be the gateway to the renowned school Glinda spoke of. We stopped at a charming cottage where Glinda introduced me to the headmistress, an elegant woman with a warm smile and kind eyes. She welcomed me with open arms, her reassurances easing my lingering fears.

But as I was led inside to get settled, a familiar voice halted me in my tracks.

"Demi!"

I turned to see her—my sister, Elysia—standing at the edge of the village square. Her eyes, so much like mine, were wide with worry and determination. She was breathless, her clothes dusty and disheveled from her hurried chase.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice a mixture of surprise and relief. "How did you find me?"

Elysia's expression softened as she ran to me, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace. "I knew something was wrong. When you didn't come back, I— I had to follow. I couldn't just let you leave without knowing where you were going."

Glinda stepped forward, her gaze gentle but firm. "Elysia, this is Glinda. She's been helping me."

Elysia looked at Glinda with a mixture of curiosity and gratitude. "Thank you for taking care of her. I didn't know what to do when she disappeared."

"It's alright," Glinda said with a reassuring smile. "Demi needed some guidance, and I'm glad she found it. But it seems your concern for her has brought you here."

Elysia nodded, her eyes never leaving me. "I don't understand everything that's happening, but I couldn't just let her go without me. We've always been together, and I didn't want to lose her."

The sincerity in her voice was undeniable. Elysia and I had shared a bond that went beyond mere sibling ties. Even with the differences between us—her gentle demeanor compared to my tempestuous nature—we had always been each other's anchors.

Glinda seemed to understand the depth of our connection. "If it's alright with you, Elysia, you're welcome to stay here as well. This place can offer both of you the support you need."

Elysia's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thank you. I'd appreciate that."

As we settled into the cozy cottage, the warmth of the hearth and the soft glow of lanterns helped ease the tension that had built up in the past few days. Elysia took a moment to examine our surroundings, her eyes wide with wonder.

"It's beautiful here," she said, her voice tinged with awe. "I can't believe how different it is from home."

"It is," I agreed, feeling a sense of peace that had been elusive for so long. "It feels like a new beginning."

We spent the evening talking and sharing our stories. Elysia recounted her frantic search for me, her determination to find me no matter what. I could see the worry etched into her features, but also a fierce resolve to stand by my side.

As night fell, Glinda showed us to our rooms, ensuring that we were both comfortable. I lay in bed, my thoughts swirling like the green flames I had once conjured. Elysia's presence brought a sense of grounding that I hadn't felt in a long time.

I glanced over at her as she drifted off to sleep, her face serene in the moonlight. Despite the uncertainty of our future, there was something comforting about having my sister by my side. We were in this together, facing the unknown with the strength of our bond.

In the quiet of the night, I made a silent promise to myself and to Elysia: no matter what lay ahead, we would face it together. The path to discovering who I was—who we were—might be fraught with challenges, but with her by my side, I felt ready to face whatever came our way.